i'd like to talk about syria. do you plan to recognize the opposition and give them some legitimacy? >> we've made a decision that the syrian opposition coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the syrian population, that we consider them the legitimate representative of the syrian people, in opposition to the assad regime, and so we will provide them recognition and obviously with that recognition comes the responsibilities on the part of that coalition. >> reporter: that's a big step. >> it is a big step. there is a small element of those who oppose the assad regime that are, in fact, affiliated with al qaeda in iraq. and we have designated them, al nusra, as a terrorist organization. and we are going to make clear to distinguish between those elements of the opposition. >> reporter: for the president, recognizing the syrian opposition as the legitimate authority in that country, many are asking what this may mean in terms of u.s. involvement. but today, a senior administrati